Please consider helping out the Tiger’s Den Food Pantry

Posted by amherstalumnioffice on September 28, 2020
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For three years, the Amherst Central School District has operated the “Tiger’s Den” food pantry which provides access to nutritional foods and household products for many families within the district. It has been a great success and welcome addition to our community, serving an average of 75 families per month.

Current highlighted needs for Fall and Back-to-School are cereal, juice boxes, granola bars, individual fruit cups or applesauce, peanut butter & jelly.

Donations can be dropped off Monday – Friday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (4007 Main Street, Eggertsville, NY 14226 next to Brunners) during office hours: 9:30 – 1:30 daily. Mailed items can be sent to that address Attn: Carolyn Catalano/Tiger’s Den

Thanks for being a friend to Tiger’s Den!

Website: https://stpaulseggertsville.org/tigers-den-food-pantry/

Donald Courtney – Ret. Amherst Teacher – 08/27/2020

Posted by amherstalumnioffice on September 2, 2020
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COURTNEY – Donald E. “Don” – August 27, 2020, of Williamsville, at age 90. Beloved husband of the late Eleanor L. Courtney (nee Barone) for 63 years; devoted father of Ann (Dr. Charles) Pelitera, David (Elizabeth) Courtney, Mary (Dr. Thomas) Westner, Robert (Barbara) Courtney and Barbara (Andrew) Archer; loving grandfather of Courtney, Lauren, Ashley, Daniel, Shannon, Alyssa, Madison, Nicholas, David, Ryan, Erica, John, Jack, Mark, Caroline, Ava and Sean; dear brother of the late Reginald (Rosemary) Courtney; also survived by nieces and nephews. Don was born in New York City and grew up in Suffern, NY. He graduated from The Gunnery Prep School in Washington, CT, and Springfield College with a degree in Physical Education. He then obtained a Master of Education degree from the University at Buffalo. He started his career as Director of the Lancaster Boys Club and then went on to teach physical education at Windermere Boulevard Elementary School in Amherst for 33 years. He was also a longtime baseball coach at Amherst High School, taught driver education at Amherst, Maryvale and Grand Island high schools and was a member of the WNY Swimming Officials Association, officiating high school & college swim meets. He was an active parishioner of All Saints Episcopal Church in Williamsville for many years before converting to Catholicism and joining St. Gregory the Great parish in 2011. Visitation will be held at (Amherst Chapel) AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 5200 Sheridan Dr. (at Hopkins Rd.), on Thursday, September 3rd, from 3-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Gregory the Great Church in Williamsville on Friday, September 4th, at 8:45 AM. Family and friends not able to attend in person are invited to watch via internet at www.stgregs.org. The family welcomes donations to the Depew-Lancaster Boys & Girls Club in lieu of flowers. (Depew- Lancaster Boys & Girls Club, 60 Preston St., Depew, NY 14043 or www.depewlancasterbgc.org). Share condolences at www.AMIGONE.com

Published by Buffalo News from Aug. 30 to Aug. 31, 2020.

Alumni News: Melissa J. Pugash ’74 appointed to The Fowler Museum at UCLA’s Director’s Council

Posted by amherstalumnioffice on August 31, 2020
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Melissa J. Pugash (1974) was appointed to The Fowler Museum at UCLA’s Director’s Council in December 2019. With more than 2000 objects in its permanent collection, the museum showcases global arts and cultures with an emphasis on Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Indigenous Americas—past and present. The Fowler promotes understanding and appreciation of the diverse peoples, cultures, and religions of the world through dynamic exhibitions, publications, and public programs, informed by interdisciplinary approaches and the perspectives of the cultures represented.

Judy Lewis Speer – Class of 1963 – 06/08/2020

Posted by amherstalumnioffice on August 24, 2020
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SPEER – Judy (nee Lewis)

Of Snyder, NY, passed away June 8, 2020. Loving daughter of the late Frank W. Lewis and Martha Lewis Wallace; she is survived by her brothers Frank W. (Judy) Lewis, Robert W. Lewis, William J. (Christine) Lewis and many nieces and nephews. The family will celebrate Judy’s life at a later date. Condolences at www.beachtuynfh.com

Per her brother Fank Lewis, Judy Lewis Speer passed on June 8, 2020 in a nursing home due to COVID-19

Anita L. Gorruso – Class of 1971 – 07/28/2020

Posted by amherstalumnioffice on August 24, 2020
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Anita Louise Gorruso, 66, of Kitty Hawk, NC died suddenly Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at The Outer Banks Hospital after a courageous five-year battle with breast cancer.

Born in Arcade, NY on August 16, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Viola Keem Gorruso and Anthony Gorruso.

Anita was a longtime special education teacher at First Flight Middle School.

She is survived by her significant other, Dennis Twiford; children, Ashley Scudiero Johnson (Andrew), Anthony Scudiero, and Amanda Scudiero; two grandchildren, Kylie Scudiero and Evelyn Vee Richardson; and three siblings, Maria Klyza (Jim), Cathy Ansuini (Thom), and Tony Gorruso.

A memorial service was held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, August 2, 2020, at Twiford Colony Chapel, Manteo with The Rev. Ann K. Urinoski officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, PO Box 1050, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, online at unclineberger.org.